Which IKEA Closet System Should you get? PAX vs AURDAL

IKEA PAX closet systems have become the most popular DIY closet system. But there’s another closet system that you might not know about from IKEA. It’s called the IKEA AURDAL system. It is a much lower price point. I’ve installed both of these closet systems, and here is my review. 

I will take you through each of the considerations when purchasing a closet system outlining the pros and cons of IKEA PAX vs IKEA AURDAL closets. At the end, you’ll find my closing thoughts, having installed and used both closet systems. 

Why is IKEA PAX so popular? 

IKEA PAX has become so popular because it really gives you that look of a custom closet but on a budget.  It comes in many different sizes with so many different inserts that can accommodate many closet layouts. You’ll also see a lot of IKEA PAX closet hacks, which make them look like a custom built-in closet. Doors can be added to the IKEA PAX closet system to adapt it to a free standing wardrobe for homes that don’t have a closet. 

There are so many uses for an IKEA PAX closet. While the obvious ones are a walk-in closet or wardrobe with doors, it’s adaptable to use for a small kids room for a shared closet, coat closet, or even in a mudroom or pantry system. 

What I used to build this closet

What is the IKEA AURDAL closet?

A few years ago, IKEA released the AURDAL closet system with a smaller footprint. It looks a lot lighter than IKEA PAX as it stands on 2 legs and does not have a backing. It’s a great closet for a smaller reach-in closet. 

What you need for IKEA AURDAL closet makeover

Design and Materials

Both systems can be built to add multiple systems side-by-side. Both systems also have clothes rods, drawers and shoe racks that can be added. 

IKEA PAX design options are endless

• IKEA PAX frames come in white, dark grey and beige. The KOMPLEMENT drawers and inserts come in the same colors for cohesion. You can also get glass drawer fronts and shelves which truly make a PAX look high end and custom. 
• IKEA PAX can be changed based on your needs. I see this as a staple IKEA product that will not be discontinued (fingers crossed). As your kids grow, you can add different types of organizers (for example, my daughter would need the jewelry organizer!)
• The BEST part of this closet is that there are endless organizers. There are different drawer sizes, clothes rails, jewelry and watch organizers. It feels like IKEA thought of every single function of a closet – shoes, accessories, or hanging or folded clothes. Customizing it is the best part!
• The IKEA PAX frame and drawers fronts and sides are made from MDF. It’s not real wood, but it’s a good option which keeps that PAX at an affordable price point. The bottom of the drawers is made of fiberboard. A lot of IKEA drawers or the backing of cabinets are made from this thinner material. However, in the 2 years since I have had my PAX, there’s been no sagging in the drawers. This makes it look and feel sturdy.
• If you’re going to build IKEA PAX as a wardrobe, there are SO many options for doors. The doors can open outward, or configured as sliding doors. There are so many options for doors and handles as well. There are mirrored doors, white, black, wood effect etc. A lot of these doors look very high end!
• IKEA PAX is commonly built to look custom. It’s easy to add crown molding trim at the top to make it look high end. 
• IKEA PAX can be configured both inside a closet as a U shape, or as a wardrobe in any room with doors. I’ve seen adaptions of the PAX with doors in mudrooms, laundry rooms, and pantry.

IKEA AURDAL is minimal

• Audral comes in 2 basic colors: white and black brown. The frames come with the corresponding drawer colors. 
• The AURDAL has 2 legs that it stands on. There will always be a gap at the bottom of the closet system. It can never really be customized to look like a built-in closet like IKEA PAX can. 
• You can make this closet look better by adding drawer pulls.
• This is only an in-closet system. It cannot be a freestanding wardrobe as there is no option to add doors to it. 
• One of the biggest downsides of AURDAL is the materials. The edges of the frame are made of MDF. Then, the center is filled with honeycomb paper filling. It almost feels hollow. I found this out when I attached rails to the middle of the frame. The drawers are made of metal, except the drawer front which is MDF Particleboard.  
• The side panels have holes all the way up on both sides. This is to accommodate the drawers inside the unit, and also if you want to add the AURDAL clothes rail. 

Overall Design Winner: There’s no question that the IKEA PAX is more sturdy and the design looks much higher. Plus, it has endless inserts to customize all your clothing and accessories.

Dimensions of the Closets

You may be limited to which of these closet systems you can choose based on the size of your existing closet. It’s really important to measure your closet walls height, width and depth. Also take note of the door frame. This is why using each of the closet planning tools on IKEA’s website are so useful!

The size of your closet and door will also determine if you can build your system in your closet, or if you need to pre-build it outside the closet. 

IKEA PAX sizes

Height: 79 ⅛” or  92 ⅞”. The taller size is perfect to make IKEA PAX look like a custom built-in with 8 foot ceilings. Just build a 2×4” base. Put the frame on top of the base. At the top, add a piece of trim or crown molding to close the gap near the ceiling.

Width: 19 ⅝” or 39 ⅜” 
Depth: 22 ⅞“

The biggest limitation of PAX is that depth. Many reach-in closets cannot accommodate an IKEA PAX closet as they are less than 20” deep. Previously, PAX used to come in a shallow depth, but I don’t see that on IKEA’s website anymore. It did not accommodate the clothes rail, so maybe that’s why they discontinued it. 

AURDAL wardrobe sizes

Height: 87” 
Frame Width: 24 ⅝”
Depth minimum: 15 ¾”

Most common AURDAL configuration maximizes hanging space

Height: 87”
Width: 68½-94½
Depth: 15¾

If you’re planning on putting the AURDAL in the middle of the closet, with clothes on each side, you need your closet to be a minimum of 68 ½” long. If your closet is smaller, you can still use it, but you have to hack it a bit. I faced this challenge when I used IKEA AURDAL in my friend’s closet. I got wood dowels and brackets and installed one bracket to the vertical frame of the closet system, and the other into a stud in the wall. 

If you’re planning a small master closet makeover, I would suggest AURDAL is the best. It’s the easiest to assemble in a small space since it’s assembled standing up. Plus, the footprint is smaller. 

IKEA has a full guide on many different AURDAL configurations, the size requirements and materials needed. It’s a great guide if you don’t want to use the planning tool.

Price Point

IKEA PAX Cost

Before IKEA PAX, a custom closet would not be affordable for most of us. A carpenter would quote anywhere upwards of $5,000, but typically $10,000 for a walk-in closet. 

IKEA makes PAX affordable in 2 main ways

1. You are not paying for labour, as YOU are the carpenter. It’s totally doable even if you’re not a DIYer. IKEA instructions are clear and you can also call in to their customer service for help.
2. IKEA typically uses MDF vs real wood. They pass the cost savings of using MDF on to you, as wood is much more expensive. 

Here’s a few configurations and costs to give you an idea of the PAX price range. If you’re planning on making it custom with drawer handles, trim and molding, add $250-$500 for construction materials.  

IKEA AURDAL Price

I really like the AURDAL closet system. It’s affordable, and if you’re not in a rush, watch the sale price. This set goes on sale. In 2024, it went on sale in January. 

Here’s some common AURDAL configurations and price point.

Overall Price Winner – Similar pricing

As a comparison, you can see the AURDAL and PAX are similarly priced. If you find the price point is similar for your needs, I would opt for PAX. There’s more customization available and the materials feel sturdier. 

IKEA Closet Planning tools

One of the reasons that I love buying IKEA products is that they have online planning tools to help you figure out the right layout for your space. The tools are free. The planning tools also display the cost of the closet system. 

Designing the IKEA PAX Planner Tool is really robust on their website. You enter in the dimensions of your closet or wall and you can custom build your system. My favourite part of this is that they tell you exactly which holes all the drawers, shelves, etc go into.

The AURDAL planning tool is great, but it doesn’t give you the detailed building plan that PAX has. Another limitation is that you can’t input the closet width, so you will have to do some math to make sure your AURDAL system will fit in the closet. 

Overall Planning tool winner: The PAX tool is more detailed with the detailed installation, and size input of the entire closet. 

Ease of Closet Installation 

Since both IKEA PAX and IKEA AURDAL are both DIY closet systems, we have to dive into the ease of installation. I think this is one of the biggest limitations that prevent people from purchasing a DIY closet.

Installing the IKEA PAX system

• Before you even start building IKEA PAX, you have to remove the baseboards. The PAX frame sits flat against the wall, so you have to do this to anchor the unit to the wall.
• The mounting system for IKEA PAX is not sturdy for the large frames. There’s one bracket and it’s hard to get it into a stud depending on where you’re going to be placing your closet system. I wish they had multiple hole placement so you can get the bracket into a stud. In my closet, we tried using anchors and they fell through the wall… not what we expected. We ended up mounting a cleat into studs. Then anchored the frame into the cleat. With 3 kids, we don’t want any tipping hazards. 
• You also have to build it on the floor. I found this is harder because it means you must have two people to build the IKEA PAX wardrobe since you have to build the base cabinet first. Then, both of you lift the cabinet and stand it up.

Installing the AURDAL Closet

• Installing the IKEA AURDAL system you do not have to remove the baseboards as it is lifted off the floor. It sits on 2 front feet so the back can sit flat ont he wall. 
• I also really love the mounting system. It has a rail that you attach the frame of the closet system to. You can ensure that it goes into studs because there are so many placements of the holes. It just feels a lot more sturdy if you have small kids. Plus, there’s a little nook where the frame hooks in at an angle so it’s less likely to tip over.
• This is much easier installation as one person can install it. Because you build the frame on the wall, you don’t need a second person to help you lift it up. You build it piece by piece so it’s not heavy 
• The drawers literally take 2 minutes to assembly, so it’s a last faster to create the inserts.

Overall Ease of Installation winner: The AURDAL Closet system is much easier to install. However, that doesn’t mean that PAX is not a beginner project. If you’re only looking for the functionality of PAX, and not looking to hack it, you can easily install an IKEA PAX closet system. 

Sturdiness and Durability 

IKEA PAX is sturdy and well made

I’ve had my IKEA PAX Wardrobe for 2 years and I feel that it’s study, well built and will stand the test of time. You can check out my honest review here. 

My biggest complaint is that the soft closing doors,  now slam shut. This is not an issue if you’re installing the PAX system in a closet, since I have it as a standalone wardrobe. I could get new hinges from IKEA, but don’t want to go through the hassle of removing the doors.

AURDAL Closet is lightweight and minimal

I’ve only installed the AURDAL closet 2 months ago in my friend’s closet. So, this review is based on the feedback from my instagram followers. Don’t get me wrong. They really like it, but here’s some feedback to consider:

• Given it’s a floating system, the drawers and drawer slides are more lightweight, and feel cheaper.
• Also, the recommended installation of the drawers leaves a very small gap. So you might have to install knobs to open the drawers.  
• There is no back to this system, and shelves are set forward by about 1″, so small items can fall down the back of the shelves. You can install your own MDF backing if this is an issue for you.

Overall Durability Winner: IKEA PAX is not only made of better materials, but it also has a backing which helps maintain the shape of the wardrobe. Plus, with the 10 year warranty, you have peace of mind that you can swap out pieces that fail.

Closing thoughts comparing IKEA PAX vs IKEA AURDAL Closet

The AURDAL system is very inexpensive and easy to install. The design is innovative and lightweight. It is well suited for shallow closets (like reach in closets) and if your DIY skills are more limited. 

If you are confident building IKEA PAX and have the budget, it is LITERALLY like having a dream closet. I would chose this every time, as long as the closet measurements fit. It’s sturdy, well-built, but does take longer to install. I also love that you can trim it out to make it look like a $10,000 closet on a small budget. 

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